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Ayieni beats the wind; top runner disqualified for iPod use in Green Bay Marathon

Posted by Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel on May 16, 2011

running, marathons

The wind from the northeast, gusting up to 40 mph, slowed the front-runners and thousands of others in the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon on Sunday; and a musical diversion cost a Michigan woman $500.

Peter Omae Ayieni, a Kenyan living in Georgetown, Texas, won the marathon in a time of 2:26:16, roughly 11 minutes off the record set by James Boit in 2010. Boit, from Coon Rapids, Minn., took second on Sunday, but was 12 minutes off his pace from the previous year.

For the win, Ayieni earned $3,000 in prize money.

Kelly McClure, of Iron Mountain, Mich., would have left Lambeau Field with $500 for finishing in fifth place in the women's marathon, but race organizers disqualified her for using an iPod around mile 16. While the USATF rules allow runners to use headphones, they prohibit the practice among the elites and those in line for cash prizes.

The disqualification is similar to the action that cost Jennifer Goebel the victory in the 2009 Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon.

According to the Green Bay Press Gazette, McClure hadn't expected to be in the top five, and turned to a bit of Jason Aldean for encouragement to help fight the wind.

“I don’t agree with the USATF rule,” race director Sean Ryan told the Green Bay paper. “I think they are punishing above-average age-group athletes who go out and have a good day. I don’t like the way the rule is structured. It’s a terrible compromise by USA Track and Field.

“They know darn well that they cannot prohibit iPods all together. You can’t beat society. There are too many people wearing iPods, so there is no way to ban them all together. So instead, they are picking on our best runners and trying to prohibit them from wearing them.

“Sometimes the runners that finish in the overall standings go in not even realizing they might finish in the overall standings and that they are not allowed to wear an iPod if that happens.”

Katie Howery, of Verona, set the pace for the women's field, winning in 2:47:12. Rael Mury, of Coon Rapids, was second, but more than 12 minutes behind.

McClure's disqualification allowed Jessica Sigl, of Seymour, to slide up to the fifth spot in the marathon and head home with the $500 check.

It was a good day for Sigl, and her husband, Tyler, who won the half-marathon in 1:06:19.

Check out this piece on the running couple.

13 Comments for "Ayieni beats the wind; top runner disqualified for iPod use in Green Bay Marathon"

  1. I'm not a marathoner so excuse my ignorance,but why not have an elite status for runners before the race.That way you know what the rules are.Plus if conditions are such that someone jumps up into a top five that ordinarily wouldn't be there,then that person would then move into an elite status from that point on.Seems silly to punish someone for doing better than expected.

    LP Hillclimber May 16, 2011 12:41 PM

  2. LP Hillclimber - According to the Press Gazette report, they did have an elite category, but McClure was not in it. They only had six elites in the women's field.

    T. Held May 16, 2011 1:04 PM

  3. I got that Tom.My point is why not make her run in the elite status from post race on.My guess is she was a stronger runner who didn't anticipate finishing in the top five,but the wind actually benefited her compared to faster runners who might have worn down.

    LP Hillclimber May 16, 2011 1:20 PM

  4. Am I the only one who thinks iPods should be banned from every race by anyone wearing them?

    kjnrun May 17, 2011 7:53 AM

  5. Everyone who runs competively knows that rule. Surely if she didn't think she would race that well, she wasn't expecting the money....so why the disappointment? If she was as good as she apparantly is, then she should set her sights high and not wear the ipod and see where she places. They aren't going to change the rules halfway through the race b/c someone is having a great day on the pavement. Would she have raced as well without the ipod? Who knows, she didn't try.

    ndnfan21 May 17, 2011 9:26 AM

  6. I guess it would be helpful to know how one is classified as being in the elite status.If you are entered as an elite participant,you know you can't use an iPod.If you are just a regular off the street participant,you can wear an iPod,but if you do use one and finish in the money,you will be disqualified.That's the part I find hard to understand.Instead of disqualifying her,why not just inform her that she will be classified elite in any further events she is entered?As far as your point kjnrun about barring them,lots of people run to finish,as opposed to run to win and if it helps them finish what's the difference?

    LP Hillclimber May 17, 2011 9:56 AM

  7. If she is running to win, then she should go sans ipod in the hopes to "qualify" as an elite runner... you have to finish with good times and/or win races in order to qualify... you have to follow rules to be considered an "elite" runner.

    ndnfan21 May 17, 2011 10:35 AM

  8. Thanks ndnfan21.

    LP Hillclimber May 17, 2011 10:51 AM

  9. Why not just allow anyone who wants to use an iPod. You would think the
    extra weight would be a hinderance. On the other hand, it probably
    streamlines your head by smoothing out those ear canal wind catchers.

    SanMan May 17, 2011 11:14 AM

  10. Why not just allow anyone who wants to use an iPod. You would think the
    extra weight would be a hinderance. On the other hand, it probably
    streamlines your head by smoothing out those ear canal wind catchers.

    SanMan May 17, 2011 11:14 AM

  11. Ignorance on my part of why iPods are banned...
    Is it a safety issue?
    I can't believe it's perceived as a competitive advantage, is it?

    Iron Man May 17, 2011 1:29 PM

  12. My comment had nothing to do with winning, elite status, etc. I view them as a safety hazard.

    kjnrun May 17, 2011 3:54 PM

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